Microform positioning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A microform carrier has at least one elongated projection, or a series of aligned projections, cooperable with a recess or groove in a bar or rail extending in the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;X&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; direction for permitting unrestricted movement of the microform along a line in said direction. Alternatively, the carrier may include a plurality of projections in matrix fashion corresponding to columns and rows of images on the microform to permit incremental positioning of the microform in the Y direction while permitting slidable movement in the X direction to observe a desired image. Conversely, the projections may be formed on the bar or rail and a series of recesses may be provided in the carrier to obtain the control and movement of the carrier and of the microform for viewing the desired image.

United States Patent 8 1 Zeutschel 1 Feb. 25, 1975 MICROFORM POSITIONINGAPPARATUS [75] Inventor: Heinz Zeutschel, Tubingen,

[21] Appl. No.: 347,337

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 14, 1972 Germany 2234052[52] US. Cl. 353/27,353/78 [51] Int. Cl. G03b 21/11, G031) 23/08 [58]Field of Search 353/27, 26, 25, 22-27, 353/78', 355/53 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,335,697 1/1943 Reymiers 355/53 2,431,66211/1947 Ralph 353/27 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS l02,l38 7/1941Sweden 353/27 Primary-Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Assistant Examiner-A.J. Mirabito Attorney, Agent, or Firm-J. T. Cavender; Wilbert Hawk, Jr.;George J. Muckenthaler [57] ABSTRACT A microform carrier has at leastone elongated projection, or a series of aligned projections, cooperablewith a recess or groove in a bar or rail extending in the X directionfor permitting unrestricted movement of the microform along a line insaid direction. Alternatively, the carrier may include a plurality ofprojections in matrix fashion corresponding to columns and rows ofimages on the microform to permit incremental positioning of themicroform in the Y direction while permitting slidable movement in the Xdirection to observe a desired image. Conversely, the projections may beformed on the bar or rail and a series of recesses may be provided inthe carrier to obtain the control and movement of the carrier and of themicroform for viewing the desired image.

6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 3.868. 179

sum 1 or 3 FIGQI;

FIG. 2

OOOOO0Ofi-6u 30333000 0 0 3 30 O0 0000 DOUG DDDUDDUDUD 1 MICROFORMPOSITIONING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known, amicroform reader includes a light source, an optical system formagnifying a microimage and for projecting the enlarged image onto ascreen for viewing thereof, and a microform carrier for positioning themicroimage desired to be viewed. The microform holder or carrier hasgenerally included a lower glass plate. secured to a framework, and anupper glass plate, pivotable along the rear edge thereof and operable toreceive a microform between the plates, the carrier being movable inboth X and Y-directions to en-- able a certain microimage to be rapidlyselected for projection onto the screen. The microimages are arranged ona card or fiche in rows and columns, and the microfiche holder ispositioned on a table between the light source and the projection lens.assembly'and is slidable across the table by the operator to the desiredmicroimage position. Upon reaching a new position, it is necessary toinsure that the microform remain in precise alignment in the X andY-direction, and it is often necessary to refocus the image in such newposition.

While the use of such glass plates, both for containing the microformtherebetween and for providing a convenient means of positioning themicroform in relation to the projection lens assembly, has been anextremely successful concept in the microform reader industry, it isdesirable to reduce the overall cost of the microform units and at thesame time to provide a positioning device which assures retention of adesired microimage in a precise position to to be viewed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to microformreaders and more particularly to microform positioning apparatus whichincludes a series of projections cooperating with a plurality ofrecesses to position and to retain position of the microform in adesired location. The microform positioning apparatus includes a carrierwhich has at least one papillaary or fin-like projection, or it may haverecess (which projection or recess may also be referred to aspositioning marks) respectively cooperating with a corresponding recessor a projection of the table or frame on the reader in a manner so as toenable an arrested position of a particular image de sired to be viewed,and wherein the projection and/or recess corresponds to the location andarrangement of a microimage on the card or fiche.

The structure of the present invention eliminates the need formicrofiche carrying glass plates, now in common usage, and herebyprovides a microfiche carrier or.

holder which comprises several portions, one of which relates to themicroform itself, another of which is the positioning portion secured tothe microform, and a third portion utilized as a manipulator or handlefor manually moving the carrier across the table of the reader. Thepositioningportion of the carrier, in a preferred design, comprises aflat sheet orplate having a plurality of projections on the undersidethereof, and arranged in a row and column matrix corresponding to therows and columns of microimages on the microfiche.

A bar or rail extends across and is secured to the table of the readerand such bar includes a groove in the top portion therealong forreceiving arow of the projections of the positioning portion of themicroform carrier. When a row of the projectionsare seated in thegroove, the carrier is arrested from movement in the Y-direction, but isfreely slidable in the X-direction under, urging on the part of theoperator.

When it is desired to move the carrier in the Y- direction, thepositioning portion is lifted slightly by means of the handle portion tofree the row of projections from the lateral groove and then suchpositioning portion is moved to the desired row position where adifferent row of projections are received by the groove.

After the desired microimage row isattained. the carrier may be slidablymoved in the X-direction to obtain the desired microimage column andtherefore the de-. sired microimage to be read. i

For sliding of the microimage carrier in the Y- direction and arrestingof the carrier in the X-direction, the bar or rail can be turned andsimilar motions by the operator are used to position the carrier in thedesired location.

In view of the above discussion, the principal object of the presentinvention is to provide microform positioning apparatus which eliminatesthe use of com.- monly used transparent plates for containing themicroform.

Another object of the present invention is to provide microformpositioning apparatus of low cost and simple design.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a microformpositioner or carrier which readily slides in one direction and whichassures arresting of movement in the other direction.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a microformpositioneror carrier which permits visual indication of the location ofthe microimages, but which also permits registering of the arrestingpoints covered during travel of the carrier from one position toanother.

Additional advantages and features of the present invention will becomeapparent and fully understood from a reading of the followingdescription taken together with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a microform reader incorporating thesubject matter of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the microform positioning ap paratus takenalong the plane 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the plane 33 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the microform positioner;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the positioner shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the plane 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a modificationthereof;

FIG. 8 is a view taken along the plane 8-8 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a further modification of the microformpositioner;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the plane 10-10 of FIG.9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of another modification of the microformpositioner; and

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the positioner of FIG. 11.

viewing or reading bythe operator.

Referring now to FlGJ shows a diagramvention, a base 10 supports anenclosure 12 containing mirrors'14 and l6for projectingan image onto ascreen 7 18. The base lflhas a top or table under whichais disposed atlight source 21, a concave reflector 22, and

a condensing lens system 24 for directingthe'light; beam through anopening or aperture 26 in a bearing plate 28 on the table 20. The lightbeam isdirected through a projection lens assembly 30 suitably supportedfrom the enclosure 12 and which assembly rides I on the surface of thebearing plate 28', or slightly above the surface when a microforrn isinserted,:itbeing su'ffi V cient to say that the projectionlen s isspring loadedso as to provide a slight downward force on the microform:

"and thereby maintainthe lens inproper focus. Asjis well knownthelightbeam picks up the microimage H r and, the projectio'nof theimage isdirected to the rnir- 7 tors fordeflectiort of such ima ge'onto thescreenfo'r The microform positioner includes several portions, oneofwhich isa'carrier for'the rnicroirnages and,;,in,the preferred case; isin the'forrnof a card or ficheinserted to a positioning portion, inturn, secured {to a handle:

- 7 portion; in H632 isshownaplanview,ofithe .position ing apparatuswith the microfiche 34containing micro? --images35 arranged in columnsand rows in well-known] manner. Adjacent the microfichef34 isthepositioning into an envelope (to be more fully explained) attachedportion inthle formrof'a plate member 36 having adhered theretoa formedm'ember 39tFIGSi 5 and 6) withpapillary-like embossedproj'ections 37,see'also FIG. 3, on theunderside-thereof, such projections 7 beingarranged in columns; and rows corresponding to the columns and rows ofthe microimages 35. The handie portion 38 of the positioningapparatus issecured 6 to the plate member 36 to enable moving of the positioningportion and of the microfiche to various desired locations. f t

' A particular construction of the microform: posiwelding seam 42,tothe' plate member36=andto the formed member 39QThese latter members,may be of plastic mate rialhaving characteristics of desired rigid: IVity in the case of plate member 36, and of desired de formubility inthe case ofithe member 39 for easeot' stumping or molding theprojections 37 on one side I x on the bail to thereby cause a slightdownward forceq x V over the roove 62lto'retain the positioner inadesired I location-it is thus seen t'hat'in this modification, the miwi I croform positioner is easily slidablc (in th-Y-direction 40' but isarrested in'itsmovementin the X-direction and" tioner,*(see FIGS. 4 and5); includes the microform34i enclosed in an envelope 40 of transparenitmaterial,;the envelope being secured along one side thereof as by athereof; The handle portion 38is secured toithe mcmbers 36 and 39 asbywelding seam 42 along their com 1 mon side. Additionally, a'nameplate orinstruction 7 plate 41 may be inserted in alformed pocketedjacent themicroform envelope 40. 7 Referring back to FIGS. land '3,

a bar or rail 45 of a height approximating-l thatof plate 28 cxtendsisstantially across the table20 and'issecured,by suitable,

means'thereto; in the X-direction, the bar having a V groove 48 (seeFIG. 6 disposedlengthwisethereof for t V receiving aplur ality ofprojections 37. It is thus seen I that when a rowrof such projections.is seated in the groove 48,the microforrnpositioner is retained in one 7location in the Y-direction, butris easily movable by sliding in theX-directionTo provide for such retention in the Y directiioma pivotablebail 50 having pressure rollers 53, 54 journaled thereon is placed inposition row of projections Of course, itmay be desirable to lift thepositioner against the downward force of rollers 53, 54 when movingacross several rows of wprojections,-t t however, the number of rows ofpro jectionsandrthe'refore the number of rows of tmicroimages cuntbecounted or otherwise registered, without visuallobser-w vation thereof,by sensingttho rows of projections in. a jumping from one row to adistal rowllThc microform positioneriseasiiy slidable in' -thexadirection'but re it quires a slight force; to bewmoved in thebYdirectionv 7 thereby eliminating undesireclandiunintentionalsliding intherY-direction. With such manner ofi retaining the l microforrn inytheY-direction, ithere is no means prot 'vided for arresting movement of,thefposition'er in the Y X-direction, however; the operator can;readily observefl 'on the screen,18the position} of certaingmicroimagesi t' and t can adjust the location of the positionertoobtain the desiredimage ofia'columnof such images; i V A modification oftheinventionisshownin FIGS; 7 Y I and 8,1:wherein the tableltisupportsthe bearing plate I a ZS aeros's "whichthei microforrn envelope40(inoves: j under the projection lerisassentblyififi The positiont 4pbmononss, (F 1G1 5)fwithprojec'tionsQL issccured t i to the envelopettl'alongoneside thereofand has the: i handle" portionf38 alOHgQthe'othenside, as fully dc-,7 1'

scribed hereinabove; lnthfe modified construction, a

a pressure memberin ,thenatureof aball 61. journaledi requires'aslightieffort to move the positioner from one 'columnof projectionstoanother.

I Afurther modification of the inventton islshown m1 FiGS 9 and10,wherein the table20 supports the bear-s ing plate 28, across'whichithe microforrn envelope 40 moves under the projection lensassembly 30; The posi I tio ner portion36',3?,with'projections 37, issecuredto t the envelope 40"andhas the handle portion t38, as de-'.scribed above. In this constructiona pairiof rails 65,- 66 are securedto the table, and extend'in the X-di'rection along the'sides of thepositioner portion, each of t the rails having a plurality of grooves 68'extending across the rail inithe X-dir'ection; for reception of a' rowofthe; projections 37. The grooves 68, are disposed and equally spacedalong the length of the rails 65, 66 to an;

rest movement of themicroform' in the Y-direction while permittingslidablemovement in theX-directionu' The bailuSfi isprovided'withpressure balls 70 and 71 f l journaled on the bailto thereby cause; aslight downward forceover the positioner portion and onto the rails toretain the microforrn ina desiredlocation; AL, x though FlGg9showstheballs70tand '7l;offset from the rails '6531'1d6j6 1hl8 is forclarification purposesnaslis the offsetof the rowfo'fi projections 37from underjthe bail 50 whichis shown in FIG. 3-10tofbe directly over isuch row; It isthus seen thata single row of the projections 37extendacross the positioner and seat in the grooves 68 in one locationof the microform.-Again, when it is desired to relocate the microform inthe Y- direction, the positioner is caused to move or jump from onegroove to another and to be arrestd thereby, The microform positioner isfree to be easily slidable in the X-direction along the groove 68 ineither rail 65 or 66.

Additionally, the row of projections 37 illustrated in FIG. 9 could besubstituted by a single fin-like projection extending across the member39 and on the underside thereof. A different arrangement of suchfin-like projection is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 wherein apositioner memberr 75 in the nature of a solid piece of plastic materialis formed with a pair of fin-like bars 76, 77 on the underside thereofto mate with grooves 78 in a corresponding member 79 on the table 20. Inthis arrangement the positioner is meant to be arrestable in theX-direction and easily slidable in the .Y-direction. Of course, the bars76, 77 could be formed 90 degrees from that shown for arresting thepositioner in the Y- direction.

Further modifications can be conceived wherein the microform is notplaced'within an envelope but is directly attached to asingle platehaving a matrix of projections corresponding to the rows and columns ofmicroimages and positionable in the X or the Y direction.

Additionally, the table could carry a bearing plate under the positionerportion, such plate having a plurality of recesses therein arranged inmatrix fashion and having connecting grooves therebetween for receivingof bars or rails formed on the underside of the positioner portion. Thisarrangement is similar to that shown in FIG. 12, but withslightmodifications to implement the connecting grooves. It is alsopossible to arrange the positioning marks, whether projections orrecesses, directly on the microform or microfiche wherein such markscould be located between the microimages and be received bycorresponding marks in the bearing plate 28.

It is thus seen that herein shown and described is a microformpositioning apparatus of low cost and of simple design to providearresting of the microform in a desired location, while permitting easeof movement to another location. The invention eliminates the need forthe upper and the lower plates now commonly used for retaining themicroform and also the complex carrier structure for moving themicroform in the X and Y-directions. The apparatus enables theaccomplishment of the objects and advantages mentioned above, and whileseveral embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, certainother variations may occur to those skilled in the art. It iscontemplated that all such variations, not departing from the spirit andscope of the invention hereof, are to be construed in accordance withthe following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for positioning a microform in a reader, comprising a platemember connected with and carrying said microform inplanar extendedrelationship thereto, 5 said plate member including a plurality ofembossed projections in an arrangement corresponding to images on themicroform, and an elongated member secured to said reader and having agroove therealong operably associated to receive a plurality -of saidprojections'for arresting movement of said plate member in one directionand for permitting sliding movement in the other direction. 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated member is a rail having agroove therealong disposed 15 for receiving said projections forarresting movement of said plate member in a direction normal to that ofthe elongated member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 including a pair of elon gated memberssecured to said reader and having a plu- 2Q rality of grooves disposedin a direction corresponding to that for receiving a plurality ofprojections of said member for arresting movement thereof.

4. In a reader, means for positioning a selected image from a pluralitythereof. on a microform, said means comprising a plate member positionedin planar extended relationship with and connected to the microform,said member having a plurality of embossed projections arranged inmatrix manner on one side thereof and an elongated member connectedtothe reader and having a groove therealong operably associated with andreceiving a plurality of projections for retaining position of saidplate member in one direction and for permitting sliding thereof in theother direction to enable selection and viewing of said image. p 5. Inthe reader of claim 4 wherein said elongated member is a rail disposedin a direction for arresting movement of said plate member in adirection normal to that of said rail.

6. Apparatus in a reader for positioning a microform the X or theYdirection.

corresponding to the images on the microform, and i

1. Apparatus for positioning a microform in a reader, comprising a platemember connected with and carrying said microform in planar extendedrelationship thereto, said plate member including a plurality ofembossed projections in an arrangement corresponding to images on themicroform, and an elongated member secured to said reader and having agroove therealong operably associated to receive a plurality of saidprojections for arresting movement of said plate member in one directionand for permitting sliding movement in the other direction.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said elongated member is a rail having agroove therealong disposed for receiving said projections for arrestingmovement of said plate member in a direction normal to that of theelongated member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 including a pair ofelongated members secured to said reader and having a plurality ofgrooves disposed in a direction corresponding to that for receiving aplurality of projections of said member for arresting movement thereof.4. In a reader, means for positioning a selected image from a pluralitythereof on a microform, said means comprising a plate member positionedin planar extended relationship with and connected to the microform,said member having a plurality of embossed projections arranged inmatrix manner on one side thereof and corresponding to the images on themicroform, and an elongated member connected to the reader and having agroove therealong operably associated with and receiving a plurality ofprojections for retaining position of said plate member in one directionand for permitting sliding thereof in the other direction to enableselection and viewing of said image.
 5. In the reader of claim 4 whereinsaid elongated member is a rail disposed in a direction for arrestingmovement of said plate member in a direction normal to that of saidrail.
 6. Apparatus in a reader for positioning a microform havingmicroimages thereon, said apparatus comprising a plate member secured toand carrying said microform in abutting planar extended manner andhaving a plurality of embossed projections on one side thereof anddispsoed in an arrangement corresponding to that of the microimages, anda rail member secured to the reader and having a Groove therealongoperably associated with said plate member for receiving a plurality ofprojections for arresting movement of said microform in the X or theY-direction.